Achieving Triple Goals of Carbon Emission Peaking, Air Quality Standard Attainment, and Economic Prosperity at the City Level: The Shenzhen Case

With support from Energy Foundation China, the Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen) led a joint research team from seven international and domestic research institutions to conduct this research and released the Shenzhen Case Study report in August 2019. The study determined that, through synergistic action, Shenzhen can peak its carbon emissions by 2020 at 5.8 tonnes of CO2 per capita and meet their air quality goal of the WHO level II criteria (PM2.5 of 25 μg/m3).

The study highlights how low carbon emissions can go hand in hand with rapid economic growth in Shenzhen, which is a major concern for many Chinese cities. What Shenzhen is achieving boosts the city’s confidence for higher ambition and provides a role model for other cities in low carbon transformation.